This might not make much sense, but after our World Cup opener against Australia on Thursday, I was happy to be disappointed, writes Karen Duggan via irishtimessport
Yet we showed that we could mix it at that level. We defended resolutely, they needed a penalty to beat us, and if goal difference comes in to play in the group, conceding just once could prove crucial. All that is where my happiness came from – if you told me beforehand that I’d be disappointed we didn’t take something from the game, I’d have doubted you.
And that, as ever, is my frustration, that it’s only after we concede that we throw the shackles off. That’s the next stage in our development, having the confidence to take a game to a team rather than waiting to go a goal down before doing it. But our approach was always going to be to stay in the game for as long as possible and then see if we could go nick something.
Ireland’s Denise O’Sullivan and Ruesha Littlejohn during the defeat to Australia at the Women's World Cup. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho But we’ll be coming up against top class players when we play Canada, they will create chances – it would be great if we could too in a way that doesn’t involve pushing Louise Quinn up front.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ireland v Australia v Ireland LIVE times, team information and score updatesToday history is made! RSVP is wishing the Republic of Ireland the very best of luck in their opening match against Australia 👏 The whole country is behind you! COYGIG Follow all of the action as it happens live here:
Read more »
Ireland's goalkeeping union at the World Cup: 'The details make the difference'Courtney Brosnan, Grace Moloney, Megan Walsh and Jan Willem van Ede on life between the posts.
Read more »
Crowning moment as Ireland set for World Cup debut in Sydney sell-outVera Pauw’s tigers go into the lions’ den of co-hosts Australia as they make their first appearance at a major tournament.
Read more »
LIVE Australia v Republic of Ireland: Women’s World Cup openerVera Pauw’s team take on the Matildas in front of a huge Sydney crowd, follow the action as it happens ...
Read more »
World Cup: Ireland tips provokes rage against the machineAlso: sinking Australian support, cheers for a Brazilian minister, and a serious Falcon rebuke for ‘Mr Blabbermouth’
Read more »